| By Kevin Adler As the
Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge becomes a fixture on
the New York City/Long Island area sports scene, Boomer
Esiason increasingly is finding that former players are
starring in the college and professional ranks. This
year�s game, the seventh annual, welcomed back Melvin
Fowler, an offensive lineman who was drafted by the
Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2002 NFL draft.
He is the second Empire Challenge player to be drafted by
the NFL, following Morlon Greenwood�s selection by the
Miami Dolphins in 2001.
�This game was an important part of a very exciting
time in my life,� said Fowler, who went to Half Hollow
Hills High School and played in the 1997 Empire Challenge.
�I had finished high school and was going to start my life
in college in just a few weeks. The Empire Challenge was a
great experience.�
Playing in the Empire Challenge helped introduce Fowler
to competition he would face in Division I football. �The
Empire Challenge players were big and strong, and it was a
hard-fought game,� he said. �Getting a tough week of
practice and the game was a springboard for my college
career. Playing well gave me a lot of confidence heading
into Maryland.�
At Maryland, Fowler was a four-year starter on the
offensive line. A good college career turned exceptional
in his senior year, as new coach Ralph Freidgen sparked
the Terrapins to their first Atlantic Coast Conference
title in 16 years and Fowler achieved All-American status.
�Coach Freidgen was amazing. He brought an NFL mentality
and intensity to our team, and everyone responded,� said
Fowler.
Esiason knows Freidgen well, as �Coach Fridge� was an
assistant coach at Maryland when Esiason starred for the
team in the early 1980s. At a Maryland football function
after the Terps� season ended with an Orange Bowl
appearance, Esiason approached Fowler and invited him to
be an honorary captain at the Empire Challenge this year.
�I was very happy to do it,� said Fowler. �Giving back to
the game is important.�
Indeed, several established NFL players were on hand at
this year�s game, also showing their interest in
supporting youth football and the fight against Cystic
Fibrosis. Marco Battaglia (tight end for the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers), Sam Garnes (strong safety for the N.Y. Jets),
and Lloyd Harrison (cornerback for the San Diego Chargers)
were honorary captains for the 2002 Empire Challenge.
�I can�t say enough about the support that we receive
from NFL players, as well as others who are affiliated
with the NFL,� said Esiason. �These guys really can get a
message to the Empire Challenge players about working hard
and striving to do your best on the field and off.�
Hopefully, as Melvin Fowler�s NFL career develops along
with a young and improving Browns team, he will continue
to return to the Empire Challenge and inspire New York
City�s and Long Island�s next generation of college stars.
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